October 31, 2012

Man shot in fracas with Keller police was a 'people person' with criminal past

The shoplifting suspect who was fatally shot by a Keller police officer last week at a Kohl's department store was described by neighbors as a "people person," but he also had a lengthy criminal past.

Mark Anthony Brooks, 42, was fatally shot by Keller officer Johnathan Hicks during a struggle that ensued after Brooks lunged at the officer. Brooks had been caught shoplifting by in-house security officers, who called police.

Neighbors surrounding his home in North Fort Worth said he was a "good-hearted" handyman, always ready to help others.

Criminal records show he had been in trouble as far back as 1988, with numerous convictions in Florida on a variety of charges, from possession of cocaine to retail theft to burglary of a dwelling.

He also had three felony convictions for driving under the influence in Florida. And he was convicted of misdemeanor theft in Fort Worth in 2010, records show.